“Blessed is the man
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.” (NIV)
During our time in Hawaii, welcoming our son home from Iraq, an underlying
theme for me was the whole notion of “vacation.” This was the first
time in a long time that I didn’t take my laptop or any work with me.
I just relaxed and enjoyed time with family. Jesus modeled the
idea of “retreat” to a solitary place, it is good and refreshing for the soul.
However, the retreat modeled by Christ was a strategic one, not simply the
black hole of no intention or the empty mind of unguarded thought.
So, what
exactly does “vacation” mean? Webster’s describes it as “freedom from
any activity; rest; respite; intermission; a period of rest and
freedom from work, study, etc. Certainly it means vacating
from the activity of vocation. Certainly it is about vacation from work
place activities to paint new memories on the canvas of a vacant lot.
Yet, it is NOT vacating of the mind. I can get into trouble when I let
my mind wander as it switches into neutral. I must put a “no vacancy”
sign out for the enemy and give God the vacant slate upon which to carve the
mysteries of His word on the tablet of my heart. THAT is refreshing
to the soul. It is “retreat strategic” to guard the heart so
as to “not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:1-2). Then I am revitalized
in the knowing of God’s will.
SO…..
Vacation from vocation = Yes!
Vacation for a vacant mind = NO!
Vacation that creates a vacant lot upon which
to carve truth and healthy
thought = Yes!
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